A 60-minute CD documentary film in English, capturing the journey of former President APJ Abdul Kalam's life from Rameswaram to Rastrapathi Bhavan. It is scripted in the style of ''story-in-story'', and is produced by Minveli Media Works. It is scripted and directed by P Dhanapal. 'Importance of Education'', is the theme of the film, which contains sound and video bytes of important people associated with Dr Kalam. Noted danseuse and actor Shobana has played the lead role in the film.

Project to groom youngsters into social entrepreneurs launched,
Audience urged to pursue their aim with hard work, knowledge

Schoolchildren and representatives of various organisations thronged Narada Gana Sabha, Alwarpet, on Monday: not to attend a cultural performance, but to listen to former President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam.

Children from various city schools and people from all walks of life were part of the captivated audience present at the launch of compact discs ‘A Little Dream’, a documentary film on Mr. Kalam. Scripted and directed by P. Dhanapal, the one-hour-long film captured important milestones in Mr. Kalam’s life - from his hometown, Rameswaram, to New Delhi.

Film director K. Balachander released the CD at the function, which was organised by Siraku Foundation, THE Confederation of Indian Organisations for Service and Advocacy (CIOSA) and Minveli Media Works. It also served as an occasion for the launch of ‘Inaindunaam 99’ meaning ‘Together We 99’, a project inspired by Mr. Kalam. It aimed at grooming 66 youngsters into social entrepreneurs under the guidance of 33 mentor organisations, corporate or voluntary.

Every speaker had a word of appreciation for the project and the film, including Mr. Kalam. Launching the project, he said the 66 social entrepreneurs should be given 66 different products and training in management and technical aspects and business ethics to compete in the global market.

He said management students must be encouraged to come up with business proposals for the 66 products. Such ventures would not only step up individual income but also lead to the nation’s progress. Mr. Kalam suggested that the mentor organisations involve themselves in the capacity building activities of the youngsters.

The former President also had a word of advice for the audience, which nodded approvingly, as he asked them to pursue their aim with hard work and acquired knowledge to attain success in their goal. Youngsters need self-confidence to overcome failures to attain their goals, he said. He also insisted on the importance of education in a nation’s development, and on the importance of time management.

Founder trustee of CIOSA K. Pandia Rajan said the chosen social entrepreneurs from across the State would be given Rs. 5,000 as monthly stipend by the mentor organisations for two years. These social entrepreneurs would be trained to engage themselves in various micro- and macro-level activities, such as laying roads in rural areas, providing rural education, and improving employment opportunities for rural youth.